JP2006102489A - Ultrasonic doppler diagnostic apparatus and measuring method of diagnostic parameter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic doppler diagnostic apparatus in which when cardiac function measurement is to be performed on the basis of the trace waveform of a Doppler spectrum, an improvement in measurement accuracy and a reduction in measurement time can be achieved by automatically measuring a diagnostic parameter effective for the measurement, and to provide a measuring method of a diagnostic parameter. <P>SOLUTION: A Doppler signal detecting unit 42 and spectrum calculating unit 44 measure the Doppler spectrum from a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic wave transmission/reception with respect to a diagnosis region of an object to be examined. A local maximum/minimum detecting unit 62 detects a plurality of local maximum/minimum pairs with respect to the trace waveform generated by a trace waveform generating unit 61 on the basis of the Doppler spectrum. A feature amount selecting unit 64 selects a desired waveform from the plurality of local maximum/minimum pairs in a predetermined cardiac cycle set by a cardiac cycle setting unit 63 by using heartbeat information from a living body measuring unit 9 on the basis of a preset selection criterion. The diagnostic parameter is measured on the basis of the position information or amplitude information of the selected waveform. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus and a diagnostic parameter measurement method for measuring blood flow velocity information and tissue movement information in a living body by utilizing an ultrasonic Doppler effect.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus radiates an ultrasonic pulse generated from a piezoelectric vibrator built in an ultrasonic probe into a subject, and generates an ultrasonic reflected wave generated by a difference in acoustic impedance of the subject tissue by the piezoelectric vibrator. It is received and displayed on the monitor. This diagnostic method is widely used for functional diagnosis and morphological diagnosis of various organs of a living body because a real-time two-dimensional image can be easily observed with a simple operation by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface. Ultrasound diagnostic methods for obtaining biological information from reflected waves from tissues or blood cells in a living body have made rapid progress with the development of two major technologies, the ultrasonic pulse reflection method and the ultrasonic Doppler method. The obtained B-mode image and color Doppler image are indispensable in today's ultrasonic image diagnosis.

  On the other hand, there is a Doppler spectrum method as a method for obtaining blood flow information at an arbitrary position of a subject quantitatively and accurately. In this Doppler spectrum method, ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed a plurality of times on the same part of the subject at regular intervals, and the ultrasonic reflected wave reflected by a moving reflector such as a blood cell is used for ultrasonic transmission / reception. A Doppler signal is detected by quadrature detection using a reference signal having a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator. Then, a Doppler signal at a desired portion is extracted from the Doppler signal by a range gate, and a Doppler spectrum is calculated by performing FFT analysis on the extracted Doppler signal.

  According to such a procedure, Doppler spectrum is continuously calculated for Doppler signals obtained from a desired part of the subject, and Doppler spectrum data is generated by sequentially arranging the obtained Doppler spectra. In general, in order to accurately set the range gate at a desired observation site in the subject, the range gate is set under B-mode image observation. At this time, the range gate position is displayed on the B-mode image. Is done.

  In general, Doppler spectrum data obtained by this ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus is displayed with frequency (f) on the vertical axis, time (t) on the horizontal axis, and power (intensity) of each frequency component as luminance (gradation). Based on the Doppler spectrum data, various diagnostic parameters are measured. For example, the position of the maximum flow velocity Vp corresponding to the maximum frequency component fp in the frequency axis direction or the average flow velocity Vc corresponding to the average frequency component fc is detected for each Doppler spectrum obtained continuously in time. Then, a trace waveform showing the time change of the maximum flow velocity Vp and the average flow velocity Vc is generated.

  Next, when evaluating blood flow in a blood vessel such as a carotid artery, a waveform peak PS (Peak of Systolic) generated in a trace waveform during systole and a waveform peak ED (End of Diastolic) generated in a diastole are detected. . Based on the position information of the PS or ED, the HR (Heart Rate) of the blood flow in the blood vessel is measured, and the peripheral blood vessel diagnosis parameter is determined from the trace waveform in the heartbeat cycle set by the PS or ED. A certain PI (Pulsatility Index) or RI (Resistance Index) is measured.

The above-described generation of Vp and Vc trace waveforms, detection of PS / ED, and measurement of diagnostic parameters such as PI and RI are conventionally based on manual operation for frozen (still displayed) Doppler spectrum data. However, in recent years, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-284718, automatic trace of Vp and Vc and automatic measurement of HR, PI or RI for real-time displayed Doppler spectrum data. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-284718 A

  On the other hand, in the functional evaluation of the heart, Doppler spectrum data is generated for the left ventricular inflow blood flow (LV-Inflow), pulmonary artery blood flow (PV), etc., and the maximum flow velocity Vp and average flow velocity Vc in the Doppler spectrum data are determined. Measurement of various diagnostic parameters based on trace waveforms is performed in daily examinations.

  As a diagnostic parameter in the measurement of the left ventricular inflow blood flow described above, the amplitude ratio “E / A” of the E wave and A wave in the trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp and the EDC wave falling period “DCT” are also used. In this measurement, the S wave velocity “VS”, the D wave velocity “VD”, and the AR wave velocity “VAR” are used.

  Conventionally, the above-described measurement of the diagnostic parameter is performed on the trace waveform in a desired period read from the cine memory after temporarily storing the trace waveform obtained by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the cine memory.

  For example, by sequentially reading out trace waveforms stored in a cine memory and selecting a trace waveform of a desired period, two time cursors are arranged on the trace waveform of the desired period statically displayed on the display unit. A heartbeat cycle (for example, ED-ED period) was set, and selection of E wave and A wave and setting of “DCT” measurement tangent were performed in the trace waveform of one heartbeat cycle.

  However, since the above-described processing in the conventional measurement of diagnostic parameters has been performed manually by an operator, the operation becomes complicated, and in particular, measurement of E wave and A wave and pulmonary artery blood flow in measurement of left ventricular inflow blood flow. The selection of S wave, D wave, and AR wave in is difficult to automate because pattern recognition is required compared with the selection of PS and ED already described.

  That is, the manual operation in the conventional diagnostic parameter measurement method takes a lot of time and not only reduces the efficiency of cardiac function measurement, but also makes it impossible to measure Doppler spectrum data displayed in real time. Furthermore, the measurement accuracy of the diagnostic parameters by this manual operation depends on the experience of the operator, and sufficient reproducibility cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its purpose is to automatically measure diagnostic parameters effective for this measurement when performing cardiac function measurement based on a Doppler spectrum trace waveform. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus and a diagnostic parameter measurement method capable of improving measurement accuracy and shortening measurement time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a Doppler signal detection unit for detecting a Doppler signal at a predetermined site and a frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal are calculated from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a subject. A spectrum calculation unit, a trace waveform generation unit for generating a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform, and the plurality of the cut waveforms cut out from the generated trace waveform for each heartbeat period. A CAB processing unit for generating CAB data by arranging the trace waveform of FIG. 1 on a first time axis indicating a time direction related to a heart rate and a second time axis indicating a time direction within one heartbeat cycle, and the CAB data Statistical processing unit that generates diagnostic waveforms by using A storage unit that stores a feature amount, a feature amount selection unit that automatically selects a feature amount for the diagnostic waveform based on the stored selection criteria, and a diagnostic parameter measurement that measures a diagnostic parameter based on the feature amount An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus comprising: a unit; and a display unit that displays a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a Doppler signal detection unit for detecting a Doppler signal at a predetermined site and a frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal are calculated from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a subject. A spectrum calculation unit; a trace waveform generation unit that generates a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform; a storage unit that stores a selection criterion; and A feature quantity selection unit that automatically selects a feature quantity for the trace waveform in a predetermined heartbeat cycle of a specimen, a diagnostic parameter measurement unit that measures a diagnostic parameter based on the feature quantity, and a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter are displayed. An ultrasonic Doppler diagnosis comprising: a display unit; It is a device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus detects a Doppler signal at a predetermined site from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on the subject to the Doppler signal detection unit. The spectrum calculation unit calculates the frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal, the trace waveform generation unit generates a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform, and the CAB processing unit generates A trace waveform is cut out from the trace waveform for each heartbeat period, and the cut out trace waveforms are plotted on the first time axis indicating the time direction related to the heart rate and the second time axis indicating the time direction within one heartbeat period. The CAB data is generated by arranging them, and the statistical processing unit is controlled using the CAB data. By performing the processing, a diagnostic waveform is generated, the feature quantity selection unit is automatically selected based on the stored selection criteria, and the feature quantity is automatically selected for the diagnostic waveform, and the diagnostic parameter measurement unit A diagnostic parameter measurement method comprising: measuring a diagnostic parameter based on a quantity, and displaying a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter on a display unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a control unit of an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus detects a Doppler signal at a predetermined site from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a subject with the Doppler signal detection unit. The spectrum calculation unit calculates the frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal, the trace waveform generation unit generates a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform, and is stored in the feature amount selection unit. Based on the selected criteria, the feature amount is automatically selected for the trace waveform in the predetermined heartbeat cycle of the subject, the diagnosis parameter measurement unit is configured to measure the diagnosis parameter based on the feature amount, and the display unit is Displaying the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter, It is that diagnostic parameter measurement method.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when performing cardiac function measurement based on the trace waveform of the Doppler spectrum, an ultrasonic wave capable of improving measurement accuracy and shortening measurement time by automatically measuring diagnostic parameters effective for this measurement. A Doppler diagnostic device and a diagnostic parameter measurement method can be realized.

  Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Device configuration)
In the embodiment of the present invention described below, a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs are detected from the trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp generated for the Doppler spectrum data of the left ventricular inflow blood flow, and further, based on the ECG signal. The E wave and the A wave of the feature amount are selected from a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs in a predetermined heartbeat period set based on a selection criterion stored in advance in a database. Then, the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” are measured using the position information and velocity information of the selected E wave and A wave.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus and the basic operation of each unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transmission / reception unit and a data generation unit that configure the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus.

  An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained from an ultrasonic probe 3 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject, a transmission / reception unit 2 that transmits / receives to / from the ultrasonic probe 3, and a transmission / reception unit 2. A data generation unit 4 for performing signal processing for obtaining B-mode image data, color Doppler image data, and Doppler spectrum from the received signal, and based on the Doppler spectrum obtained in the data generation unit 4 A blood flow evaluation unit 6 that generates a trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp or the average flow velocity Vc and measures various diagnostic parameters in cardiac function measurement based on the trace waveform, and various data generated by the data generation unit 4 or blood The data storage unit 5 stores the trace waveform generated in the flow evaluation unit 6 and the measurement results of various diagnostic parameters. There.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus 100 includes, for example, a reference signal generation unit 1 that generates a continuous wave or a rectangular wave having a frequency substantially equal to the center frequency of the ultrasonic pulse to the transmission / reception unit 2 or the data generation unit 4. The display unit 7 displays the image data and Doppler spectrum generated in the data generation unit 4, the trace waveform generated in the blood flow evaluation unit 6 and the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter, and the patient information by the operator. Input unit 8 for input, image display mode, measurement mode and selection of trigger waveform, setting of ultrasonic data collection conditions, and input of various command signals, and biological measurement unit for collecting heart rate information of subject 9 and a system control unit 10 that controls each unit of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus 100 in an integrated manner.

  The ultrasonic probe 3 performs ultrasonic wave transmission / reception by bringing its front surface into contact with the surface of a subject, and has a plurality of (N) minute piezoelectric transducers arranged in a one-dimensional manner at its tip. Have in the department. This piezoelectric vibrator is an electroacoustic transducer, which converts electrical pulses into ultrasonic pulses (transmitted ultrasonic waves) during transmission, and converts reflected ultrasonic waves (received ultrasonic waves) into electrical signals (received signals) during reception. It has a function to convert. The ultrasonic probe 3 is configured to be small and lightweight, and is connected to the transmission unit 21 and the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 via a cable. The ultrasonic probe 3 has a sector scan support, a linear scan support, a convex scan support, and the like, and is arbitrarily selected according to the diagnostic part. In the following, the case of using the sector scanning ultrasonic probe 3 for the purpose of measuring cardiac function will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and linear scanning or convex scanning may be used.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 2 illustrated in FIG. 2 generates a drive signal for radiating transmission ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 3 and phasing addition to the reception signal from the ultrasonic probe 3. The receiving part 22 which performs is provided.

  The transmission unit 21 includes a rate pulse generator 211, a transmission delay circuit 212, and a pulsar 213. The rate pulse generator 211 supplies a rate pulse for determining a repetition period of transmission ultrasonic waves from the reference signal generation unit 1. Generated by dividing the continuous wave or rectangular wave, and the rate pulse is supplied to the transmission delay circuit 212.

  The transmission delay circuit 212 is composed of the same number (N channels) of independent delay circuits as the piezoelectric vibrators used for transmission, and the transmission ultrasonic wave is converged to a predetermined depth in order to obtain a narrow beam width in transmission. And a delay time for radiating transmission ultrasonic waves in a predetermined direction are given to the rate pulse, and this rate pulse is supplied to the pulser 213. The pulser 213 has an N-channel independent drive circuit, and generates a drive pulse for driving a piezoelectric vibrator built in the ultrasonic probe 3 based on the rate pulse.

  On the other hand, the receiving unit 22 includes a preamplifier 221 composed of N channels, an A / D converter 222, a beam former 223, and an adder 224. The preamplifier 221 amplifies a minute signal converted into an electrical reception signal by the ultrasonic transducer to ensure sufficient S / N, and the N-channel reception signal amplified to a predetermined size by the preamplifier 221. Is converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 222 and sent to the beam former 223.

  The beam former 223 includes a focusing delay time for focusing an ultrasonic reflected wave from a predetermined depth and a deflection delay time for setting a reception directivity with respect to a predetermined direction. The adder 224 performs phasing addition on the received signals from the beam former 223 (adding the received signals obtained from a predetermined direction in accordance with the phase).

  Next, the data generation unit 4 includes a B-mode data generation unit 41 for generating B-mode data for the reception signal output from the adder 224 of the reception unit 22, and quadrature detection for the reception signal. A Doppler signal detector 42 for detecting a Doppler signal, a color Doppler data generator 43 for generating color Doppler data based on the detected Doppler signal, and a spectrum calculator for calculating a frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal. 44.

  The B-mode data generation unit 41 includes an envelope detector 411 and a logarithmic converter 412. The envelope detector 411 envelopes the received signal after the phasing addition supplied from the adder 224 of the reception unit 22. Line detection is performed, and the amplitude of the envelope detection signal is logarithmically converted by a logarithmic converter 412. In general, a received signal from within a subject has an amplitude having a wide dynamic range of 80 dB or more, and in order to display this on an ordinary television monitor having a dynamic range of about 30 dB, the amplitude by logarithmic conversion is used. Compression is required.

  On the other hand, the Doppler signal detection unit 42 includes a π / 2 phase shifter 421, mixers 422-1 and 422-2, and LPFs (low-pass filters) 423-1 and 423-2. The received signal supplied from the adder 224 of the unit 22 is subjected to quadrature detection to detect a Doppler signal.

  Next, the color Doppler data generation unit 43 includes a Doppler signal storage circuit 431, an MTI filter 432, and an autocorrelation calculator 433. The Doppler signal of the Doppler signal detection unit 42 is temporarily stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 431. Next, the MTI filter 432, which is a high-pass digital filter, reads the Doppler signal stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 431, and is caused by respiratory movement or pulsatile movement of the organ with respect to the Doppler signal. Remove Doppler components (clutter components). The autocorrelation calculator 433 calculates an autocorrelation value for the Doppler signal from which only the blood flow information is extracted by the MTI filter 432, and further, based on the autocorrelation value, an average blood flow velocity value and a variance Calculate the value.

  On the other hand, the spectrum calculation unit 44 includes an SH (sample hold circuit) 441, an HPF (high pass filter) 442, and an FFT (Fast-Fourier-Transform) analyzer 443, and is obtained by the Doppler signal detection unit 42. FFT analysis is performed on the received Doppler signal. Each of SH441 and HPF442 is composed of two channels, and a complex component of the Doppler signal output from the Doppler signal detector 42, that is, a real component (I component) and an imaginary component (Q component) are supplied to each channel. Is done.

  Next, basic operations of the Doppler signal detection unit 42 and the spectrum calculation unit 44, which are important components in the generation of the Doppler spectrum of the present invention, will be described in more detail with reference to the time chart of FIG. Although FIG. 3 shows a case where a Doppler component is detected for an analog reception signal for ease of explanation, actual processing is performed for a digital reception signal output from the reception unit 22.

In FIG. 3, (a) is a reference signal output from the reference signal generator 1, (b)
Is a rate pulse for Doppler spectrum output from the rate pulse generator 211 of the transmitter / receiver 2, and (c) indicates a received signal after phasing addition obtained from the adder 224 of the receiver 22.

  Further, (d) is a quadrature detection output output from the LPF 423 of the Doppler signal detection unit 42, and (e) is a system control unit 10 for setting the sampling (range gate) position of the SH 441 in the spectrum calculation unit 44. (F) shows the Doppler signal sampled and held by SH 441, and (g) shows the Doppler signal in the range gate smoothed by HPF 442.

  2 is input to the first input terminals of the mixers 422-1 and 422-2 of the Doppler signal detector 42. The received signal (FIG. 3C) output from the receiver 22 of FIG. On the other hand, the reference signal ((a) of FIG. 3) of the reference signal generator 1 having a repetition frequency substantially equal to the center frequency of the received signal is directly supplied to the second input terminal of the mixer 422-1 and π The reference signal whose phase is shifted by 90 degrees in the / 2 phase shifter 421 is sent to the second input terminal of the mixer 422-2. The outputs of the mixers 422-1 and 422-2 are sent to LPFs 423-1 and 423-2, and the frequency of the received signal supplied from the receiver 22 and the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generator 1. The sum component with the repetition frequency is removed, and only the difference component is extracted as a Doppler signal ((d) in FIG. 3).

  Next, in SH441, a sampling pulse (range gate pulse) generated by dividing the Doppler signal output from the LPFs 423-1 and 423-2 and the reference signal of the reference signal generator 1 by the system control unit 10 is generated. Is supplied ((e) in FIG. 3), and the Doppler signal from a desired distance is sampled and held by this sampling pulse ((f) in FIG. 3). This sampling pulse is generated after a delay time Ts from a rate pulse ((b) of FIG. 3) that determines the timing at which the transmission ultrasonic wave is emitted, and this delay time Ts can be arbitrarily set in the input unit 8. is there.

  That is, the operator can extract the Doppler signal at the desired distance Lg from the ultrasonic probe 3 by changing the delay time Ts of the sampling pulse. At this time, the delay time Ts and the desired distance Lg have a relationship of 2Lg / C = Ts, where C is the sound speed of the subject.

  Next, the stepped noise component superimposed on the Doppler signal of the desired distance Lg output from the SH 441 is removed by the HPF 442 ((g) in FIG. 3), and the smoothed Doppler signal is converted into an FFT analyzer. 443 is supplied to generate a frequency spectrum (Doppler spectrum).

  The FFT analyzer 443 includes an arithmetic circuit and a storage circuit (not shown), and the Doppler signal output from the HPF 442 is temporarily stored in the storage circuit, and the arithmetic circuit stores a predetermined number of Doppler signals stored in the storage circuit. Perform FFT analysis over time.

  4A and 4B show the Doppler spectrum calculation method in the FFT analyzer 443. FIG. 4A shows the Doppler signal Ax input to the FFT analyzer 443, and FIG. (B) shows Doppler spectrum data B1, B2, B3,... Obtained by FFT analysis of a predetermined period of the Doppler signal Ax. Of the discrete Doppler signals (FIG. 4 (a)) supplied from the HPF 442 of the spectrum calculation unit 44, for example, FFT analysis is performed on m Doppler signal components q1 to qm to obtain spectrum components. First Doppler spectrum B1 for f1 to fm is calculated. Next, m Doppler signal components q1 + j to qm + j after time ΔT are subjected to FFT analysis to calculate a new Doppler spectrum B2. FIG. 4A shows the case where j = 3.

  Similarly, FFT analysis is sequentially performed on m Doppler signal components of q1 + 2j to qm + 2j after time 2ΔT, q1 + 3j to qm + 3j,. B3, B4,... Are calculated. (FIG. 4B).

  Next, returning to FIG. 1, the blood flow evaluation unit 6 generates a trace waveform of the highest flow velocity Vp corresponding to the maximum frequency fp of the plurality of Doppler spectra obtained in time series by the spectrum calculation unit 44. A generating unit 61, a maximum / minimum detecting unit 62 for detecting a maximum / minimum pair for the trace waveform, and a heartbeat cycle setting for setting a heartbeat cycle based on heartbeat information of the subject supplied from the biological measurement unit 9 Unit 63, and further, an E wave and an A wave, which are feature quantities of a trace waveform in left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement based on a selection criterion preset from a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs in a set heartbeat cycle And a diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 for measuring various diagnostic parameters based on the amplitude or shape of the selected E wave and A wave. .

  The trace waveform generator 61 detects the maximum frequency fp for each of the plurality of Doppler spectra B1, B2, B3,... Obtained at the ΔT interval in the spectrum calculator 44, and further corresponds to the maximum frequency fp. A trace waveform indicating a temporal change in the maximum flow velocity Vp is generated. FIG. 5 shows a method of calculating the above-described maximum frequency fp. The maximum frequency fp is obtained based on the intersection of a preset spectrum threshold value S0 and the Doppler spectrum Bx.

  Below, the maximum flow velocity Vp corresponding to the maximum frequency fp of the Doppler spectrum is referred to as the maximum flow velocity Vp of the Doppler spectrum, and a case where various diagnostic parameters are measured based on the trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp will be described.

  The maximum / minimum detection unit 62 of the blood flow evaluation unit 6 detects a maximum / minimum pair for the trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp generated by the trace waveform generation unit 61. FIG. 6A shows the maximum blood flow Vp generated by the trace waveform generation unit 61 described above based on the Doppler spectrum of the left ventricular inflow blood flow obtained by setting a range gate at the monk valve outflow portion of the subject. The Doppler spectrum Bx at time t = t0 is shown at the left end, and the trace waveform Cp showing the temporal change of the maximum flow velocity Vp measured in this Doppler spectrum Bx is shown at the left end.

  Then, the local maximum / minimum detecting unit 62 performs a primary differential operation and a secondary differential operation for detecting an inflection point on the trace waveform Cp generated by the trace waveform generating unit 61, and a plurality of local maximum / minimum pairs. Is detected. That is, maximal / minimum pairs [p01, q01], [p02, q02], [p03, q03],... Are detected as indicated by the trace waveform Cp in FIG.

  On the other hand, the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63 sets the heartbeat cycle based on the heartbeat information of the subject supplied from the biological measurement unit 9. For example, the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63 detects the position of the R wave by detecting the maximum value of the ECG waveform in FIG. 6B supplied from the ECG unit (electrocardiograph) of the living body measurement unit 9, and the R-R interval. To set the heartbeat period T0.

  Next, the feature quantity selection unit 64 includes a storage circuit (not shown). The storage circuit has an E wave (a dilated early blood flow waveform) among a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs set in the trace waveform. And selection criteria for selecting the A wave (atrial contraction flow) are stored in advance as a database. FIG. 7 schematically shows a database of selection criteria stored in the storage circuit, and selection criteria are set for each measurement target and age group of the subject.

  For example, the database DB1 stores the selection criteria of E wave and A wave for the trace waveform obtained in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement of an adult (elderly person), and the database DB2 stores in the pulmonary artery blood flow measurement. The selection criteria of S wave, D wave and AR wave for the obtained trace waveform are stored.

  Furthermore, the selection criteria of the database DB1 are various waveforms based on the heartbeat period in which the ECG waveform, the PCG waveform (cardiogram), or the trace waveform shown in FIG. A selection criterion for automatically selecting a signal and a selection criterion for automatic selection based on a manually set heartbeat cycle or heartbeat trigger are stored.

  Then, the feature quantity selection unit 64 receives the trace waveform Cp (FIG. 6A) to which information on the local maximum / minimum pair is added from the local maximum / local minimum detection unit 62, and the heartbeat cycle information ( 6B) is received, and the heartbeat period T0 is set to the period [t1-t2] for the trace waveform Cp. Then, the maximum / minimum pairs [p11, q11], [p12, q12], which are already set in the trace waveform Cp on the basis of the time t3 when 40% of the heartbeat period T0 has elapsed from the R wave of the ECG waveform at the time t1, [P13, q13], ... are searched until time t2, and maximums p11 and p13 having the largest and second largest values are detected.

  Next, of these two maximum values p11 and p13, the maximum p11 at time t4 approaching time t3 is selected as the E wave, and the maximum p13 at time t5 following the maximum p11 is selected as the A wave. The selected E wave position (time) information t4 and A wave position information t5 are supplied to the diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65.

  The diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 includes an arithmetic circuit (not shown). The diagnostic parameter “65” is based on the trace waveform Cp of the highest flow velocity Vp supplied from the feature amount selecting unit 64, the E wave position information t4, and the A wave position information t5. E / A "and" DCT (deceleration time) "are measured.

  A diagnostic parameter measurement method performed by the diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65 for the trace waveform Cp will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, the arithmetic circuit of the diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 determines the diagnostic parameter “E / V” by the ratio VE / VA of the amplitude (flow velocity) VE of the E wave at time t4 and the amplitude (flow velocity) VA of the A wave at time t5 of the trace waveform Cp. A "is calculated. Next, a tangent line Ct is set with respect to the descending curve from the E wave maximum p11, and the interval between the time t6 at which the tangent line Ct and the base line Bl intersect with the time t4 of the E wave is calculated as a diagnostic parameter “DCT”. .

  Next, the data storage unit 5 in FIG. 1 stores B-mode image data and color Doppler image data generated by the data generation unit 4, and further, Doppler spectrum data generated by combining a plurality of Doppler spectra. Furthermore, the data storage unit 5 stores the trace waveform generated by the trace waveform generation unit 61 of the blood flow evaluation unit 6 based on the Doppler spectrum, and the E wave and A selected by the feature amount selection unit 64 in a predetermined heartbeat period of the trace waveform. Wave information, and further, the measurement results of the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” measured by the diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 in the predetermined heart cycle are stored.

  On the other hand, the display unit 7 includes a display data generation circuit, a conversion circuit, and a monitor (not shown). Then, the B-mode image data generated by the data generation unit 4 or the like, color Doppler image data, Doppler spectrum data, the trace waveform of the maximum flow velocity Vp obtained by the blood flow evaluation unit 6, the diagnostic parameter “E / A”, and The measurement result of “DCT” is synthesized by the display data generation circuit and then converted into a predetermined display format, and then D / A conversion and television format conversion are performed in the conversion circuit and displayed on the monitor.

  FIG. 10 shows a specific example of a display method on the monitor of the display unit 7. On this monitor, for example, an image data display area 200 in which B-mode image data and color Doppler image data are combined and displayed, and a trace waveform display area in which a trace waveform and an ECG waveform superimposed on unshown Doppler spectrum data are displayed. 300 and a diagnostic parameter display area 400 in which measured values of diagnostic parameters such as “E / A” and “DCT” are displayed as a list.

  The B-mode image and the color Doppler image displayed in the image data display area 200 include a Doppler marker 201 indicating the direction of the region of interest for obtaining a Doppler spectrum, and a region of interest on the Doppler marker 201 (for example, a monk valve outflow portion). The range gate position 202 set in () is displayed. On the other hand, on the trace waveform Cp in the trace waveform display area 300, position information and amplitude information of E wave and A wave, tangent line Ct for measuring the diagnostic parameter “DCT”, and the like are superimposed and displayed.

  Next, the input unit 8 includes input devices such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, and a selection button on the operation panel, and inputs patient information, selection of an image display mode and a display method, a measurement mode, and a trigger waveform. Selection, setting of ultrasonic data collection conditions, and various command signals are input.

  The above-described image display modes include a B mode, a color Doppler mode, and a Doppler spectrum mode. Measurement modes include left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement and pulmonary artery blood flow measurement using a trace waveform of Doppler spectrum data. As trigger waveforms, there are ECG waveforms, PCG waveforms, Vp trace waveforms, etc. as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, and display methods include real time display and freeze display of image data, trace waveforms, diagnostic parameter measurement values, etc. . Further, manual scrolling of the trace waveform in freeze display, position setting of the Doppler marker and range gate for collecting the Doppler spectrum, and the like are performed by the input device of the input unit 8.

  The system control unit 10 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and input information, setting information, and selection information input in advance from the input unit 8 by the operator are stored in the storage circuit. On the other hand, the CPU performs overall control of each unit of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus 100 and overall system control based on the above-described information input from the input unit 8.

  In addition, the biological measurement unit 9 collects heartbeat information of the subject. In the present embodiment, the case where an ECG unit that collects the ECG waveform of the subject is used will be described, but other biological signal measurement units such as a PCG unit that collects a heart waveform (PCG waveform) may be used.

(Measurement procedure for diagnostic parameters)
Next, a diagnostic parameter measurement procedure according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a diagnostic parameter measurement procedure in the present embodiment.

  In the following, in the same manner as described above, the E wave and A based on the heartbeat information obtained from the ECG waveform with respect to the trace waveform Cp of the maximum flow velocity Vp generated for the Doppler spectrum of the left ventricular inflow blood flow. The procedure for selecting the wave and measuring the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” will be described, but the measurement target, trigger waveform, diagnostic parameter, and the like are not limited to these.

  Prior to ultrasonic wave transmission / reception with respect to the subject, the operator inputs patient information, selects an image display mode, a measurement mode and a trigger waveform with the input unit 8, and further sets and updates various ultrasonic data collection conditions. The information is stored in a storage circuit (not shown) of the system control unit 10.

  In this embodiment, the operator selects the B mode, the color Doppler mode, and the Doppler spectrum mode as the image display mode, and selects the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement using the trace waveform Cp of the maximum flow velocity Vp as the measurement mode. Further, an ECG waveform is selected as a trigger waveform used for selecting the E wave and A wave of the trace waveform in this left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement, and real time display is selected as a display method of the trace waveform and the diagnostic parameter measurement result (FIG. 11). Step S1).

  When these inputs / selections / settings are completed, the operator fixes the tip (ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface) of the ultrasonic probe 3 at a predetermined position on the surface of the subject body, and the first ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving direction ( Ultrasonic transmission / reception for obtaining B-mode data and color Doppler data is performed in the scanning direction θ1). That is, the rate pulse generator 211 in the transmission / reception unit 2 in FIG. 2 determines the repetition period of the ultrasonic pulse emitted into the subject by dividing the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generation unit 1. A rate pulse is generated, and this rate pulse is supplied to the transmission delay circuit 212.

  Next, the transmission delay circuit 212 gives the rate pulse a focusing delay time for focusing the ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth and a deflection delay time for transmitting the ultrasonic wave in the scanning direction θ1, and this rate pulse. Is supplied to the pulser 213. The pulser 213 supplies a drive signal generated by the rate pulse to N piezoelectric transducers in the ultrasonic probe 3 via a cable (not shown), and radiates the ultrasonic pulse in the scanning direction θ1 of the subject. To do.

  A part of the ultrasonic pulse radiated to the subject is reflected at an interface or tissue between organs having different acoustic impedances. Further, when this ultrasonic wave is reflected by a moving reflector such as a heart wall or blood cell, the ultrasonic frequency is subjected to Doppler shift.

  The reflected ultrasonic wave (received ultrasonic wave) reflected by the tissue or blood cell of the subject is received by the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic probe 3 and converted into an electric signal (received signal). After being amplified to a predetermined size by an N-channel independent preamplifier 221 at 22, it is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 222. Further, the received signal converted into the digital signal is given a predetermined delay time by the beamformer 223 and then added and synthesized by the adder 224 to detect the Doppler signal and the B mode data generation unit 41 of the data generation unit 4. Supplied to the unit 42.

  At this time, in the beam former 223, a delay time for focusing the ultrasonic reflected wave from a predetermined depth, and a delay time for giving a strong reception directivity in the scanning direction θ1 with respect to the ultrasonic reflected wave, It is set by a control signal from the system control unit 10.

  The output signal of the adder 224 supplied to the B-mode data generation unit 41 is subjected to envelope detection and logarithmic conversion, and then stored in a B-mode image data storage area in the data storage unit 5 of FIG.

  On the other hand, in the generation of color Doppler image data, ultrasonic transmission / reception is continuously performed a plurality of times (L times) in the scanning direction θ1 in accordance with the same procedure as described above in order to obtain the Doppler shift of the received signal. An autocorrelation operation is performed on the obtained received signal.

  That is, the reception signal obtained by performing the first ultrasonic transmission / reception for color Doppler in the scanning direction θ1 by the transmission / reception unit 2 is supplied from the adder 224 to the Doppler signal detection unit 42, and is mixed by the mixers 422-1, 422. -2 and LPFs 423-1 and 423-2 detect quadrature phases, and detect 2-channel Doppler signals (complex signals). Each of the real and imaginary components of the Doppler signal is temporarily stored in the Doppler signal storage circuit 431 of the color Doppler data generation unit 43. The same processing is performed on the reception signals obtained by the second through Lth ultrasonic transmission / reception in the scanning direction θ1 to collect Doppler signals and store them in the Doppler signal storage circuit 431.

  When the storage of the Doppler signal obtained by L ultrasonic transmission / reception in the scanning direction θ1 in the Doppler signal storage circuit 431 is completed, the system control unit 10 stores the Doppler signal stored in the Doppler signal storage unit 431. The Doppler signal components corresponding to a predetermined position (depth) are sequentially read out from the signal and supplied to the MTI filter 432. The MTI filter 432 performs a filtering process on the supplied Doppler signal component, eliminates a tissue Doppler component (clutter component) caused by movement of a tissue such as a myocardium, and the blood flow caused by the blood flow. A Doppler signal composed of Doppler components is supplied to the autocorrelation calculator 433.

  Next, the autocorrelation calculator 433 performs autocorrelation calculation using the Doppler signal supplied from the MTI filter 432, and further, based on the autocorrelation calculation result, the average velocity value, variance value, or power value of the blood flow. Etc. are calculated. Such calculation is also performed for other positions (depths) in the scanning direction θ1, and the average blood flow velocity value, variance value, power value, etc. in the scanning direction θ1 are stored in the data in FIG. The data is stored in the color Doppler image data storage area in the unit 5.

  Next, the system control unit 10 performs ultrasonic transmission / reception in the scanning direction θ2 to the scanning direction θP in the same procedure, and B-mode data and color Doppler data obtained at this time are stored in the data storage unit 5 as B They are stored in the mode image data storage area and the color Doppler image data storage area, respectively.

  That is, the B-mode image data storage area of the data storage unit 5 sequentially stores B-mode data for the scanning directions θ1 to θP to generate one-frame B-mode image data, and similarly stores color Doppler image data. Color Doppler data for the scanning directions θ1 to θP is stored in the area, and color Doppler image data for one frame is generated.

  On the other hand, the display data generation circuit of the display unit 7 combines the image data for one frame stored in the data storage unit 5, that is, the B-mode image data obtained in the scanning directions θ1 to θP and the color Doppler image data. Then, the image data is converted into a predetermined display format, and the conversion circuit performs D / A conversion and television format conversion on the synthesized image data to generate a video signal. The obtained video signal is displayed on the monitor.

  Similarly, ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to θ1 to θP is repeated, and the obtained B-mode image data and color Doppler image data are displayed on the display unit 7 in real time.

  Next, the operator uses the input device of the input unit 8 to set a Doppler spectrum diagnostic region (a monk valve) for the B-mode image or color Doppler image of the subject displayed on the monitor of the display unit 7. Therefore, a Doppler marker is set in the θD direction, and a range gate is set at a distance Lg on the Doppler marker.

  The ultrasonic transmission / reception for obtaining the Doppler spectrum is alternately performed with respect to the scanning direction θD corresponding to the Doppler marker alternately with the B-mode or color Doppler ultrasonic transmission / reception in the scanning direction θ1 to the scanning direction θP. It is done. Also in this case, ultrasonic transmission / reception is performed in the θD direction by the same procedure as for color Doppler ultrasonic transmission / reception, and the output signal (reception signal) of the adder 224 is supplied to the Doppler signal detection unit 42.

  On the other hand, as described in FIG. 3, the Doppler signal detector 42 supplies the Doppler signal detected by performing quadrature phase detection on the received signal to the SH 441 of the spectrum calculator 44 (step S2 in FIG. 11). SH441 samples and holds the Doppler signal based on the sampling pulse at the range gate position Lg supplied from the system control unit 10.

  The output of SH441 obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception repeatedly performed in the scanning direction θD is smoothed by the HPF 442 and stored in a storage circuit (not shown) of the FFT analyzer 443.

  Next, an arithmetic circuit (not shown) of the FFT analyzer 443 sets a plurality of periods shifted by a predetermined time ΔT with respect to continuously obtained Doppler signals, and performs FFT analysis on the Doppler signals in these periods. Generate a Doppler spectrum.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the arithmetic circuit of the FFT analyzer 443 reads out m signal components, for example, q1 to qm, and performs FFT analysis on discretely obtained Doppler signals. The Doppler spectrum B1 for the frequencies f1 to fm is calculated. Then, the calculated Doppler spectrum B1 is stored in the Doppler spectrum data storage area of the data storage unit 5.

  Similarly, for m signal components after time ΔT, after time 2ΔT, after time 3ΔT,..., The FFT analyzer 443 of the spectrum calculation unit 44 calculates Doppler spectra B2, B3, B4. Are sequentially stored in the Doppler spectrum data storage area of the data storage unit 5 (step S3 in FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, the trace waveform generation unit 61 of the blood flow evaluation unit 6 sequentially reads out the Doppler spectrums B1, B2, B3,... Stored in the data storage unit 5, and uses the method shown in FIG. The frequency fp is calculated. And the trace waveform Cp which shows the time change of the maximum flow velocity Vp corresponding to this maximum frequency fp is produced | generated, and it preserve | saves in the trace waveform storage area of the data storage part 5 (step S4 of FIG. 11).

  Next, the maximum / minimum detection unit 62 reads the trace waveform data Cp stored in the data storage unit 5, performs a first-order differential operation and a second-order differential operation on the trace waveform Cp, and a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs. [P01, q01], [p02, q02], [p03, q03],... Are detected (see FIG. 6A). Then, the trace waveform data Cp to which these maximum / minimum pairs are added is stored in the trace waveform storage area of the data storage unit 5 and supplied to the feature amount selection unit 64 (step S5 in FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63 detects the R wave by detecting the maximum value of the ECG waveform supplied from the living body measurement unit 9 including the ECG unit, and further uses the heartbeat cycle information set by the RR interval as a feature amount. It supplies to the selection part 64.

  Then, the feature amount selection unit 64 sets one heartbeat period T0 for the trace waveform supplied from the local maximum / minimum detection unit 62 based on the heartbeat cycle information supplied from the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63. E wave and A wave are selected by applying a preset waveform selection criterion to a plurality of maximum / minimum pairs added to the trace waveform of the heartbeat period T0. The selected E-wave position information and A-wave position information are supplied to the diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65 together with the trace waveform Cp (step S6 in FIG. 11).

  Next, the diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65 of the blood flow evaluation unit 6 uses the E wave amplitude and the A wave amplitude in the trace waveform Cp based on the E wave and A wave position information supplied from the feature amount selection unit 64. VA is measured, and the diagnostic parameter “E / A” is calculated by the ratio VE / VA. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a tangent line Ct is set with respect to the descending curve from the E wave maximum, and the position (time) at which the tangent line Ct and the base line Bl intersect with each other and the E wave position (time). Is calculated as a diagnostic parameter “DCT” (step S7 in FIG. 11). Then, the calculated diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” are stored in the data storage unit 5.

  Next, the B-mode image data, color Doppler image data, Doppler spectrum data, trace waveform Cp of the maximum flow velocity Vp to which E wave and A wave information is added, stored in the data storage unit 5 by the above-described procedure, The measurement results of the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” are supplied to the display unit 7. These data are combined in a display data generation circuit and converted in accordance with a predetermined display format. Further, D / A conversion and television format conversion are performed in the conversion circuit and displayed on a monitor.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the B-mode image data stored in the B-mode image data storage area of the data storage unit 5 and the color Doppler image data stored in the color Doppler image data storage area are combined. It is displayed in the image data display area 200 of the monitor.

  Also, the Doppler spectrum image data (not shown) is displayed in the trace waveform display area 300 by superimposing a trace waveform Cp, a marker or cursor indicating the position of the E wave and the A wave, a tangent line Ct from the E wave maximum, and the like. Further, the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” are displayed in the diagnostic parameter display area 400 (step S8 in FIG. 11).

  By the procedure described above, each unit of the blood flow evaluation unit 6 traces the Doppler spectrum continuously obtained at the range gate position set in the B mode image data and the color Doppler image data displayed in real time on the display unit 7. Waveform generation, maximum / minimum pair detection, E wave and A wave selection in the latest heartbeat cycle, and diagnostic parameter measurement.

  The obtained B-mode image data and color Doppler image data are sequentially displayed in real time in the image data display area 200 in the monitor of the display unit 7, and the Doppler spectrum data and the trace waveform are sequentially displayed in the trace waveform display area 300. Furthermore, the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” measured by the diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 based on the E wave and A wave of the trace waveform of the latest heartbeat cycle selected by the feature amount selecting unit 64 of the blood flow evaluation unit 6. ”Is displayed in the diagnostic parameter display area 400. In this case, it is desirable to display the trace waveform of the heartbeat cycle corresponding to the latest measurement result of the diagnostic parameter in a highlighted manner or with a marker or cursor superimposed display.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when various diagnostic parameters for the purpose of measuring cardiac function are measured based on the trace waveform of the Doppler spectrum, the E wave, A wave, etc. required for this measurement are previously stored. Since the selection is made based on the selection criteria stored in the database, it is possible to select an accurate waveform, and therefore the measurement accuracy of the diagnostic parameter is improved.

  In addition, since the above-described waveform selection does not require manual operation by the operator, the time required for measuring the diagnostic parameters is shortened, and the measurement results can be displayed in real time. For this reason, measurement efficiency or diagnosis efficiency is greatly improved.

  Furthermore, the measurement of the diagnostic parameter according to the present embodiment does not require manual operation by the operator, and thus the measurement result does not depend on the presence or absence of the operator's experience. Therefore, it becomes easy to obtain measurement results with excellent reproducibility.

  Further, since a predetermined period of the trace waveform corresponding to the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter displayed on the display unit is clearly indicated, the reliability of the diagnostic parameter measurement result can be confirmed using the trace waveform.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment performs CAB (Cut and Arraign by Beat) processing using a trace waveform obtained by auto-trace processing, and analyzes the result to provide information that can support diagnosis. Is to provide.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. Only differences from the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below.

  The feature quantity selection unit 64 performs CAB processing (processing according to a CAB function described later) on the trace waveforms such as Vp and Vc generated by the trace waveform generation unit 61. In addition, the feature amount selection unit 64 performs statistical processing using a trace waveform for each heartbeat cycle obtained by CAB processing, and generates a diagnostic waveform.

  The diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 measures a diagnostic parameter using the generated diagnostic waveform.

  The analysis unit 67 analyzes the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter and the diagnostic waveform using a diagnostic database stored in advance, and determines whether the diagnosis target site is normal or abnormal.

  The display unit 7 displays a trace waveform for each heartbeat cycle obtained by CAB processing, a measurement result of a diagnostic parameter using a diagnostic waveform, a determination result of whether a diagnosis target part is normal or abnormal, and the like in a predetermined form Is displayed.

(CAB function)
Next, the CAB function of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The CAB function refers to a trace waveform obtained by auto-trace processing cut out for each heartbeat with a predetermined time phase as a reference, and the cut-out waveform is amplitude, first time axis (time direction related to heart rate), second Are arranged in a coordinate system defined by the time axis (time direction in one heartbeat cycle).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a trace waveform showing the change over time of the maximum flow velocity Vp obtained based on the spectrum waveform (18 heartbeats) of the carotid artery (Carotid). When receiving the trace waveform, the feature amount selection unit 64 detects all ED positions (or PS positions, etc.) on the trace waveform from the correspondence with the ECG waveform from the heartbeat period setting unit 63. In addition, the feature amount selection unit 64 cuts out trace waveforms for each heartbeat cycle with reference to each detected ED position and the like, and as shown in FIG. 17, each waveform has a time axis related to amplitude, heart rate, and time in one heartbeat cycle. CAB data is generated by arranging in a coordinate system defined by axes. The generated CAB data is displayed on the display unit 7 together with the trace waveform as necessary, and is automatically stored in the data storage unit 5. For reference, FIG. 18 shows CAB data obtained by CAB processing using the trace waveform of the Vc waveform as an input.

(Diagnostic parameter measurement function using CAB data)
Next, a diagnostic parameter measurement function using CAB data included in the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. This function generates a diagnostic waveform by performing statistical processing using CAB data obtained by the CAB processing shown in FIG. 19 (however, this figure is a two-dimensional display), and uses this to perform diagnostic parameter measurement. Is what you do. Examples of available statistical processing include multiple heart rate averaging processing, AR (Auto-Regressive) time axis model calculation processing, ARX (Auto-Regressive and exogenious) time axis model calculation processing, and the like.

The multiple heartbeat averaging process is executed according to the following equation (1).

In the above equation (1), N is a plurality of heart rates used for averaging (in this case, N = 18), and corresponds to an average calculation parameter. CAB (x, y) represents the amplitude of each trace waveform cut out by the CAB process, x represents time related to the heart rate, and y represents time in one heart cycle.

The AR time axis model calculation process is executed according to the following equation (2) using a general method such as the Burg (MEM) method, the geometric lattice method, the Yule-Walker method, or the modified covariance processing method. .

In the above equation (2), X (n) represents trace waveform data, u (n) represents a residual, αi represents an AR coefficient series, and k represents a model order. Regarding the observation time of X (n), there are variations depending on the parameters of the average calculation.

The ARX time axis model calculation process is a mathematical model in which the ECG waveform is an exogenous input and the trace waveform is autoregressive, and is executed according to the following equation (3).

FIG. 20 shows an example of a diagnostic waveform (predicted waveform) obtained by the ARX time axis model calculation process.

  The feature quantity selection unit 64 selects feature quantities using the diagnostic waveform generated by the statistical processing exemplified above, for example, using the method described in the first embodiment. For example, when the blood flow and the valve speed at each apex of the heart are auto-trace waveforms, the blood flow and the peak velocity of the valve are selected using the generated diagnostic waveform. The diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65 uses the feature amount selected by the feature amount selection unit 64, for example, the diagnosis parameter measurement described in the first embodiment, the ratio between the Ve maximum value and the Vma maximum value of the monk valve, E wave And the time interval between the A waves are measured in a Tei-index manner.

(Frequency parametric model)
It is also possible to use a frequency parametric model. For example, in the frequency parametric model shown in FIG. 12, an AR model is obtained using (4) and further developed using equation (5).

Here, e (n) is noise, y (n) is an output, and A () is an AR model of a series of series. Further, the PT in the equation (5) can be expressed as the following equation (6) in order to normalize P (f).

R is a co-fraction. The frequency model P (f) can be calculated by the above method.

(Diagnosis support function using CAB data)
Next, a diagnosis support function using CAB data included in the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the diagnosis support function using the CAB data is an analysis using at least one of the diagnostic waveform and the diagnostic parameter obtained by the diagnostic parameter measurement function, and is the diagnosis target part normal based on the result? It is determined whether there is an abnormality.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reference waveform stored as a normal model for each age and each diagnosis part. The reference waveform has a period Tn normalized by the heartbeat period and an amplitude An normalized by a standard speed range. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnostic waveform obtained by CAB processing. Similarly, this diagnostic waveform is normalized by the heartbeat cycle and the standard speed range set in the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63.

  Using this reference waveform and the diagnostic waveform, a quality engineering technique is used to determine whether the diagnosis target site is normal or abnormal. As a quality engineering method, an MT (Mahalanobis-Taguchi Ajoint) method, an MTA (Mahalanobis-Taguchi-Summit) method, or the like can be used.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, the analysis unit 67 calculates the difference (residual) between the reference waveform (theoretical value) and the diagnostic waveform (actual value) at each time, and the square of the residual. The sum is calculated in the range of the period Tn. Further, the analysis unit 67 converts the time series data of the reference waveform and the diagnostic waveform into a frequency spectrum by MEM (Maximum Entropy Method) as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the analysis unit 67 performs evaluation by the MT method, MTA method, and MTS method using the calculated residual sum of squares and frequency spectrum. Based on this evaluation, for example, the analysis unit 67 determines that the diagnosis target site is abnormal when the residual sum of squares exceeds the reference value, and diagnoses when the residual sum of squares is equal to or less than the reference value. It is determined that the target site is normal.

  The analysis unit 67 compares the normal values (or normal ranges) of various measurement parameters stored in the diagnostic database as shown in FIG. 27 with the diagnostic parameter measurement results obtained by the diagnostic parameter measurement function, for example. Then, it is determined whether the site to be diagnosed is normal or abnormal.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus using a CAB function, a diagnostic parameter measurement function using CAB data, and a diagnosis support function using CAB data.

  First, initial setting of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus is performed, a Doppler signal is detected according to the initial setting, and a Doppler spectrum is calculated (Steps S11, S12, and S13). Each of these processes is as described in the first embodiment.

  Next, the trace waveform generation unit 61 generates a trace waveform Cp indicating the time change of the maximum flow velocity Vp corresponding to the maximum frequency fp, and stores it in the data storage unit 5 (step S14). The feature quantity selection unit 64 performs the above-described CAB process on the generated trace waveform Cp to generate CAB data (step S15). The feature amount selection unit 64 performs statistical processing using the CAB data obtained by the CAB processing, and generates a diagnostic waveform (step S16).

  Next, the local maximum / minimum detection unit 62 performs a primary differential operation and a secondary differential operation on the generated diagnostic waveform to generate a plurality of local maximum / minimum pairs [p01, q01], [p02, q02], [ p03, q03],... are detected (see FIG. 6A). Then, the waveform data for diagnosis to which these maximum / minimum pairs are added is stored in the trace waveform storage area of the data storage unit 5 and supplied to the feature amount selection unit 64 (step S17).

  Next, the feature amount selection unit 64 sets one heartbeat period T0 for the diagnostic waveform based on the heartbeat cycle information set by the heartbeat cycle setting unit 63. In addition, the feature quantity selection unit 64 applies waveform selection criteria set in advance to the plurality of maximum / minimum pairs added to the trace waveform of the heartbeat period T0, and selects the E wave and the A wave. The selected E-wave position information and A-wave position information are supplied to the diagnosis parameter measurement unit 65 together with the diagnosis waveform data (step S18).

  Next, the diagnostic parameter measurement unit 65 measures the E wave amplitude VE and the A wave amplitude VA in the diagnostic waveform based on the E wave and A wave position information supplied from the feature quantity selection unit 64, and The diagnostic parameter “E / A” is calculated from the ratio VE / VA. Further, a tangent line Ct is set with respect to the descending curve from the maximum of the E wave, and the interval between the position (time) at which the tangent line Ct and the base line Bl intersect with the position (time) of the E wave is set as a diagnostic parameter “DCT” (Step S19). The calculated diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” are stored in the data storage unit 5 respectively.

  Next, the analysis unit 67 performs an analysis according to, for example, a quality engineering method using the diagnostic waveform, the reference waveform, and the like, and determines whether the diagnosis target site is normal or abnormal based on the result. (Step S20).

  Next, the display unit 7 displays the B-mode image data, the color Doppler image data, the Doppler spectrum data, the diagnostic waveform with the E wave and A wave information added thereto, The measurement results of the parameters “E / A” and “DCT” and the determination result of whether the diagnosis target part is normal or abnormal are displayed on the monitor in a predetermined form (step S21).

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, according to this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is possible to cut out a trace waveform so that the time phase corresponds to each cardiac cycle by CAB processing. Further, the extracted trace waveform for each heartbeat cycle can be arranged along the time direction related to the heart rate and the time direction in one heartbeat. Therefore, the operator can create a database of a plurality of trace waveforms cut out for each heartbeat, and can use it for various quantitative analyses. Further, by displaying the trace waveform cut out for each heartbeat in correspondence with the time phase, it is possible to visually recognize the trace waveform correspondence between heartbeats.

  Moreover, according to this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a diagnostic waveform can be generated by performing statistical processing using CAB data obtained by CAB processing. Therefore, by performing diagnostic parameter measurement using this diagnostic waveform, it is possible to reduce the influence of variations in Doppler waveforms caused by arrhythmia and the like.

  Further, according to the present ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, based on the diagnostic waveform obtained by the statistical processing using the CAB data, the diagnostic parameter measurement result obtained using the diagnostic waveform, and the data relating to the normal example stored in advance, It is possible to determine whether the diagnostic site is normal or abnormal. Therefore, in Doppler diagnosis, highly objective diagnosis support information based on CAB data can be provided, which can contribute to improvement in medical quality.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of rejecting or picking up inappropriate events (for example, events that are significantly different from other events and have low reliability) in the statistical processing in the second embodiment. It is.

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. When compared with the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment, the difference is that a rejection processing unit 69 is further provided. The reject processing unit 69 executes a process (reject process) according to a reject function described later.

(Reject function)
Next, the reject function of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. This function excludes a trace waveform with low reliability from the target of diagnostic parameter measurement processing using CAB data in order to stabilize accuracy in diagnostic parameter measurement. As shown in FIG. 30, this corresponds to excluding an event that deviates from a certain threshold when the extracted trace waveform is a population. The reject function includes a manual reject function and an automatic reject function. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where trace waveforms from immediately after the freeze operation to 10 heartbeats are subjected to diagnostic parameter measurement processing using CAB data.

  In the manual reject function, first, as shown in FIG. 31, the 10-beat trace waveform is displayed as a thumbnail by a predetermined operation. The operator observes each trace waveform displayed as a thumbnail, and selects an appropriate trace waveform to be used for the diagnostic parameter measurement processing using the CAB data via the input unit 8 or the like. The selected trace waveform is highlighted (in the case of FIG. 31, each trace waveform related to 1, 2, 4, 6 heartbeats), and the other trace waveforms are not adopted in the diagnostic parameter measurement process using CAB data. (Ie rejected).

  On the other hand, in the automatic reject function, for example, PRD (Percent Root Mean Squire Difference) is calculated, and when the value exceeds 10%, it is determined as abnormal and automatically rejected from the data input of statistical processing.

  As another example of the automatic reject function, a plurality of combinations of trace waveforms included in CAB data are selected, and a diagnostic waveform is generated for each combination. Accordingly, trace waveforms that do not constitute a combination are automatically rejected. More specifically, for example, a plurality of diagnostic waveforms are generated by starting from the seventh heartbeat after the synchronization detection is stabilized and performing statistical processing every four heartbeats one by one as shown in FIG. . The diagnostic parameter measuring unit 65 measures the diagnostic parameters corresponding to each of the diagnostic waveforms. Furthermore, a plurality of diagnostic waveforms obtained by statistical processing are displayed as thumbnails as shown in FIG. 33, for example. At this stage, the operator can also exclude the displayed diagnostic waveform having a deviation by manual processing. In FIGS. 32 and 33, a thin line indicates a trace waveform that is not subjected to statistical processing, and a thick line indicates a diagnostic waveform that is obtained by statistical processing.

  It is also possible to combine the method reject function and the automatic reject function. For example, the threshold processing level is changed according to the rejection threshold for measurement parameters (for example, PS value, HR value, etc.) for each heartbeat. Among those changed, those exceeding the threshold processing level are picked up as candidates for rejection and highlighted. The operator observes the highlighted candidate for rejection and rejects it from the population parameter by the manual reject function to execute statistical processing.

  FIG. 34 (a) is a diagram showing a diagnostic waveform (thick line) obtained by statistical processing using 10 heartbeats without performing this rejection processing. FIG. 34 (b) is a diagram showing a diagnostic waveform (thick line) obtained by statistical processing after rejecting 4 heartbeats by this rejection processing among the 10 heartbeats. When both are compared, it turns out that the waveform for diagnosis obtained by performing the rejection process is approximated by each trace waveform used for the calculation.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus using the reject function. Each process shown in the figure is executed in step S4 of FIG.

  First, initial setting of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus is performed, a Doppler signal is detected according to the initial setting, and a Doppler spectrum is calculated (Steps S31, S32, and S33). Each of these processes is as described in the first and second embodiments.

  Next, the trace waveform generation unit 61 generates a trace waveform Cp indicating the time change of the maximum flow velocity Vp corresponding to the maximum frequency fp, and stores it in the data storage unit 5 (step S34). The feature quantity selection unit 64 performs the above-described CAB process on the generated trace waveform Cp to generate CAB data (step S35). The rejection processing unit 69 executes the above-described rejection processing by using the trace waveform for each heartbeat constituting the generated CAB data (step S36). The feature quantity selection unit 64 performs a statistical process using the CAB data from which the trace waveform with low reliability is excluded by the reject process, and generates a diagnostic waveform (step S37).

  Next, similarly to the second embodiment, the processing from step S38 to step S42 is executed, and the measurement result of the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT”, whether the diagnostic target part is normal or abnormal The determination result is displayed on the monitor in a predetermined form.

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, according to the present ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a cut trace waveform with low reliability can be excluded from a statistical processing target using CAB data, automatically or manually by a reject function. Therefore, it is possible to generate a diagnostic waveform with high reliability, and as a result, it is possible to realize high-quality diagnostic parameter measurement and abnormality / normality determination of a diagnostic part.

  Further, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a cut trace waveform with low reliability can be automatically picked up by the reject function. Therefore, the operator can improve the accuracy of statistical processing using CAB data only by discriminating the picked-up low cutout trace waveforms individually. As a result, the operator's work burden in Doppler diagnosis can be reduced.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  (1) For example, in each of the first embodiments, the diagnostic parameters “E / A” and “DCT” effective for measuring the left ventricular inflow blood flow of the heart have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other diagnostic parameters may be used.

  (2) Measurement of pulmonary artery blood flow, left ventricular outflow blood flow, right ventricular inflow blood flow, right ventricular outflow blood flow, or the like may be used. In particular, measurement of the S wave amplitude “VS”, the D wave amplitude “VD”, and the AD wave amplitude “VAD” is suitable as diagnostic parameters in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement.

  FIG. 12B shows the trace waveform Cq of the maximum flow velocity Vp obtained by the pulmonary artery blood flow measurement. Based on the selection criteria when the ECG waveform Ec of FIG. 12A is used as the trigger waveform. The positions (time) and respective amplitudes (flow velocity) VS, VD, and VAD of the S wave, D wave, and AD wave selected in this way are shown.

  On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows selection criteria in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement, and this selection criteria is stored in advance in the database in DB2 of FIG. That is, the DB2 stored in the storage circuit (not shown) of the feature quantity selection unit 64 stores the heartbeat period based on the ECG waveform, PCG waveform, and trace waveform in the same manner as the selection criterion for left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement (see FIG. 8). A selection criterion for automatically selecting various waveforms based on the above and a selection criterion for automatically selecting based on a manually set heartbeat period or heartbeat trigger are stored.

  (3) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where an ECG waveform is used as a trigger waveform has been described. However, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, tracing is already performed based on heartbeat information such as a PCG waveform and a trace waveform. You may select the waveform in a waveform. 14 shows a PCG waveform (FIG. 14B) that can be used as a trigger waveform, a trigger signal (FIG. 14C) based on a trace waveform, an ECG waveform (FIG. 14A), and a trace waveform. FIG. 8 and FIG. 13 show selection criteria set based on the trigger signal based on the PCG waveform or trace waveform.

  (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the diagnostic parameter is measured in real time with respect to the trace waveform displayed in real time together with the B-mode image data and the color Doppler image data has been described. On the other hand, automatic measurement may be performed. In this case, a series of trace waveforms stored in a cine memory or the like is scrolled in an arbitrary direction using an input device, a trace waveform in a desired heartbeat cycle is selected, and a procedure similar to the above is applied to this trace waveform. Diagnostic parameters can be automatically measured.

  (5) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the trace waveform is generated based on the maximum flow velocity Vp in the Doppler spectrum has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the trace waveform is generated based on the average flow velocity Vc. May be. Furthermore, waveform selection such as E wave and A wave may be performed based on the maximum / minimum pair of trace waveforms as described in the above-described embodiment, but the same may be performed based on the size of the maximum. An effect is obtained.

  (6) The transmission / reception unit 2 and the ultrasonic probe 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 in each of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, other materials may be used as the plurality of electroacoustic transducers provided in the ultrasonic probe 3 instead of the piezoelectric elements. An ultrasonic probe in which these electroacoustic transducers are two-dimensionally arranged may be used.

  (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the B-mode image data and the color Doppler image data are combined and displayed in the image data display area of the display unit 7 has been described, but only one of the image data is displayed. May be.

  (8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the diagnostic parameter measurement is performed in real time by the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus having the ultrasonic transmission / reception function has been described as an example. However, the diagnostic parameter measurement may be performed by a medical workstation, a personal computer, or the like using, for example, Doppler signal data acquired in the past without being bound by this.

  Each function described in each embodiment can also be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer and developing the program on a memory. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when performing cardiac function measurement based on the trace waveform of the Doppler spectrum, an ultrasonic wave capable of improving measurement accuracy and shortening measurement time by automatically measuring diagnostic parameters effective for this measurement. A Doppler diagnostic device and a diagnostic parameter measurement method can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission / reception unit and the data generation unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing basic operations of the Doppler signal detection unit and the spectrum calculation unit in the first embodiment. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a Doppler spectrum calculation method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating the maximum frequency component of the Doppler spectrum in the first embodiment. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating trace waveforms in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a selection criterion database in the feature amount selection unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of selection criteria in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a diagnostic parameter measurement method performed on the trace waveform in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a display method in the display unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a diagnostic parameter measurement procedure according to the first embodiment. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing trace waveforms of pulmonary artery blood flow measurement in the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating selection criteria for measuring pulmonary artery blood flow in a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a trigger waveform in a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a trace waveform showing the change over time of the maximum flow velocity Vp obtained based on the spectrum waveform (18 heartbeats) of the carotid artery (Carotid). FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a result obtained by CAB processing using the trace waveform of the Vp waveform as an input. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a result obtained by CAB processing using the trace waveform of the Vc waveform as an input. The CAB data obtained by the CAB process shown in FIG. 19 is shown two-dimensionally. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagnostic waveform obtained by the ARX time axis model calculation process. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the frequency parametric model. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reference waveform stored as a normal model for each age and each diagnosis part. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagnostic waveform obtained by CAB processing. FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the time-series residual sum of squares between the reference waveform and the diagnostic waveform. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining frequency spectrum conversion by MEM. FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining evaluation by a quality optical method using a residual sum of squares and a frequency spectrum. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating normal values of various measurement parameters stored in the diagnostic database. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment using a CAB function, a diagnostic parameter measurement function using CAB data, and a diagnosis support function using CAB data. It is. FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a reject function of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the manual reject function. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the automatic reject function. FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the automatic reject function. FIG. 34 (a) is a diagram showing a diagnostic waveform (thick line) obtained by statistical processing using 10 heartbeats without performing this rejection processing. FIG. 34 (b) is a diagram showing a diagnostic waveform (thick line) obtained by statistical processing after rejecting 4 heartbeats by this rejection processing among the 10 heartbeats. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus using the reject function.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reference signal generation part, 2 ... Transmission / reception part, 3 ... Ultrasonic probe, 4 ... Data generation part, 5 ... Data storage part, 6 ... Blood flow evaluation part, 7 ... Display part, 8 ... Input part, 9 ... Living body Measurement unit, 10 ... system control unit, 21 ... transmission unit, 22 ... reception unit, 41 ... B-mode data generation unit, 42 ... Doppler signal detection unit, 43 ... color Doppler data generation unit, 44 ... spectrum calculation unit, 61 ... Trace waveform generation unit, 62 ... maximum / minimum detection unit, 63 ... heart rate cycle setting unit, 64 ... feature quantity selection unit, 65 ... diagnostic parameter measurement unit, 100 ... ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic device, 211 ... rate pulse generation unit, 212 ... transmission delay circuit, 213 ... pulser, 221 ... preamplifier, 222 ... A / D converter, 223 ... beam former, 224 ... adder, 411 ... envelope detector, 412 ... logarithmic converter, 421 ... π / 2 Phase shifter, 422 ... mixer, 423 ... LPF (low-pass filter), 431 ... Doppler signal storage circuit, 432 ... MTI filter, 433 ... autocorrelation calculator, 441 ... SH (sample hold), 442 ... HPF (high pass) Pass filter), 443 ... FFT analyzer

Claims (34)

A Doppler signal detection unit for detecting a Doppler signal at a predetermined site from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a subject;
A spectrum calculation unit for calculating a frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal;
A trace waveform generation unit for generating a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform;
A trace waveform is cut out for each heartbeat period from the generated trace waveform, and the plurality of cut out trace waveforms are a first time axis indicating a time direction related to the heart rate, and a second time direction indicating a time direction within one heartbeat period. A CAB processing unit that generates CAB data by arranging them on the time axis;
A statistical processing unit that generates a diagnostic waveform by performing statistical processing using the CAB data;
A storage unit for storing selection criteria;
A feature quantity selection unit that automatically selects a feature quantity for the diagnostic waveform based on the stored selection criteria;
A diagnostic parameter measuring unit for measuring a diagnostic parameter based on the feature amount;
A display unit for displaying the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter;
An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CAB processing unit performs the cut-out using at least one of an electrocardiogram waveform and a cardiac sound waveform of the subject. A heart rate cycle setting unit for setting the number of heart rate cycles;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CAB processing unit performs the cut-out using the trace waveform including a set number of heartbeat cycles.   The statistical process is any one of an average process for multiple heartbeats, an auto-regressive time axis model calculation process, and an auto-regressive and exogenous time axis model calculation process. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to Item. A reject processing unit that executes a reject process for excluding trace waveforms that do not satisfy a predetermined standard from trace waveforms of one heartbeat period constituting the CAB data;
The ultrasonic Doppler device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the statistical processing unit executes the statistical processing using the CAB data subjected to the rejection processing. The display unit simultaneously displays the plurality of trace waveforms included in the CAB data;
The reject processing unit performs the reject processing so that the statistical processing is executed using a trace waveform selected directly or indirectly by an operator among the displayed trace waveforms,
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5. The reject processing unit selects a plurality of combinations of the trace waveforms included in the CAB data,
The statistical processing means generates the plurality of diagnostic waveforms by executing the statistical processing for each combination.
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5.   8. The trace waveform generation unit generates the trace waveform indicating a temporal change of the predetermined spectrum component corresponding to the maximum blood flow rate or the average blood flow rate at the predetermined site. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of them. A maximum / minimum detection unit for detecting a maximum and minimum or a maximum with respect to the trace waveform;
The feature amount selection unit selects the feature amount based on the maximum and minimum of the trace waveform in the predetermined heartbeat cycle of the subject, or the maximum;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A heart rate cycle setting unit for setting a heart rate cycle for the heart rate information of the subject;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the feature amount selection unit selects the feature amount based on a maximum and minimum or a maximum of a trace waveform in the set predetermined heartbeat period.   11. The ultrasonic Doppler according to claim 10, wherein the cardiac cycle setting unit sets the predetermined cardiac cycle for the trace waveform based on at least one of an electrocardiographic waveform and a cardiac sound waveform of the subject. Diagnostic device.   11. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display unit displays in real time the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter measured in the latest cardiac cycle of the trace waveform set by the cardiac cycle setting unit.   The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the feature amount is an E wave and an A wave of the trace waveform obtained in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement.   The diagnostic parameter measurement unit calculates at least one of the amplitude ratio E / A of the E wave and the A wave and the lower limit period DCT of the E wave in the trace waveform at the highest flow velocity based on the feature quantity selected by the feature quantity selection unit. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is measured as a diagnostic parameter.   The ultrasonic wave according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the feature amount is at least one of an S wave, a D wave, and an AD wave of the trace waveform obtained in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement. Doppler diagnostic device.   The diagnostic parameter measurement unit, based on the feature quantity selected by the feature quantity selection unit, S wave velocity VS in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement, D wave velocity VD in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement, and pulmonary artery blood flow. 16. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the AR wave velocity VAD in the measurement is measured as a diagnostic parameter. A storage unit for storing the trace waveform;
The feature selection unit selects the feature in a desired heartbeat cycle of the trace waveform once stored in the storage unit;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.   The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the selection criterion is previously stored in a database for each measurement target or each age group of the subject. The display unit is
Display the trace waveform and the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter in real time,
Highlighting the latest cardiac cycle of the trace waveform corresponding to the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18. A Doppler signal detection unit for detecting a Doppler signal at a predetermined site from a reception signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on a subject;
A spectrum calculation unit for calculating a frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal;
A trace waveform generation unit for generating a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform;
A storage unit for storing selection criteria;
A feature amount selection unit that automatically selects a feature amount for the trace waveform in a predetermined heartbeat cycle of the subject based on the stored selection criteria;
A diagnostic parameter measuring unit for measuring a diagnostic parameter based on the feature amount;
A display unit for displaying the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter;
An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus comprising:   21. The super waveform according to claim 20, wherein the trace waveform generation unit generates the trace waveform indicating a temporal change of the predetermined spectrum component corresponding to the maximum blood flow velocity or the average blood flow velocity at the predetermined portion. Sonic Doppler diagnostic device. A maximum / minimum detection unit for detecting a maximum and minimum or a maximum with respect to the trace waveform;
The feature amount selection unit selects the feature amount based on the maximum and minimum of the trace waveform in the predetermined heartbeat cycle of the subject, or the maximum;
The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 20 or 21. A heart rate cycle setting unit for setting a heart rate cycle for the heart rate information of the subject;
23. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the feature amount selection unit selects the feature amount based on a maximum and minimum of a trace waveform or a maximum in the predetermined heartbeat period.   24. The ultrasonic Doppler according to claim 23, wherein the cardiac cycle setting unit sets the predetermined cardiac cycle for the trace waveform based on at least one of an electrocardiographic waveform and a cardiac sound waveform of the subject. Diagnostic device.   24. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the display unit displays in real time a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter measured in the latest cardiac cycle of the trace waveform set by the cardiac cycle setting unit.   The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the feature amounts are an E wave and an A wave of the trace waveform obtained in the left ventricular inflow blood flow measurement.   The diagnostic parameter measurement unit calculates at least one of the amplitude ratio E / A of the E wave and the A wave and the lower limit period DCT of the E wave in the trace waveform at the highest flow velocity based on the feature quantity selected by the feature quantity selection unit. 27. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the apparatus is measured as a diagnostic parameter.   The ultrasonic wave according to any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the feature amount is at least one of an S wave, a D wave, and an AD wave of the trace waveform obtained in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement. Doppler diagnostic device.   The diagnostic parameter measurement unit, based on the feature quantity selected by the feature quantity selection unit, S wave velocity VS in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement, D wave velocity VD in pulmonary artery blood flow measurement, and pulmonary artery blood flow. 29. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the AR wave velocity VAD in the measurement is measured as a diagnostic parameter. A storage unit for storing the trace waveform;
The feature selection unit selects the feature in a desired heartbeat cycle of the trace waveform once stored in the storage unit;
30. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 29.   31. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 30, wherein the selection criterion is previously stored in a database for each measurement target or each age group of a subject. The display unit is
Display the trace waveform and the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter in real time,
Highlighting the latest cardiac cycle of the trace waveform corresponding to the measurement result of the diagnostic parameter;
33. The ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 32. The control unit of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic device
The Doppler signal detection unit detects the Doppler signal at a predetermined site from the received signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on the subject,
Let the spectrum calculation unit calculate the frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal,
The trace waveform generation unit generates a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform,
A CAB processing unit cuts out a trace waveform from the generated trace waveform for each heartbeat period, and a plurality of the extracted trace waveforms are a first time axis indicating a time direction regarding the heart rate, a time direction within one heartbeat period CAB data is generated by arranging on the second time axis indicating
By causing the statistical processing unit to perform statistical processing using the CAB data, a diagnostic waveform is generated,
Let the feature quantity selection unit automatically select a feature quantity for the diagnostic waveform based on the stored selection criteria,
Let the diagnostic parameter measurement unit measure the diagnostic parameter based on the feature amount,
Displaying a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter on a display unit;
A diagnostic parameter measuring method comprising: The control unit of the ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic device
The Doppler signal detection unit detects the Doppler signal at a predetermined site from the received signal obtained by performing ultrasonic transmission / reception on the subject,
Let the spectrum calculation unit calculate the frequency spectrum of the Doppler signal,
The trace waveform generation unit generates a temporal change of a predetermined spectrum component in the frequency spectrum as a trace waveform,
A feature amount selection unit automatically selects a feature amount for the trace waveform in a predetermined heartbeat cycle of the subject based on a stored selection criterion,
Let the diagnostic parameter measurement unit measure the diagnostic parameter based on the feature amount,
Displaying a measurement result of the diagnostic parameter on a display unit;
A diagnostic parameter measuring method comprising:

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